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HISTORICAL SKETCH 



EASTHAMPTON, MASS 



B Y 



LUTHER WRIGHT, A. M. 
1852. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



EASTHAMPTON, MASS. 

DELIVERED BEFORE THE 

YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION, 

OF EASTHAMPTON, 
OCT. 7, 1851. 

BY LUTHER WRIGHT, A. M. 

PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



NORTHAMPTON: 

PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE OFFICE. 
1852. 



.tiZlV\ 



NOTE. 

At the time the following Sketch was written, the writer confined himself 
almost entirely to events relating to Easthampton, prior to the commencement 
of the present century, calling it the first chapter of the Chronicles of the 
town, leaving it to some abler pen, at a future time, to write the second chap- 
ter, and bring the history of the town down to the present time ; but after a re- 
quest had been made by the young men and others who heard it, that what 
had been written and delivered might be published, it was finally decided to 
yield to their request, with the understanding that the sketch might be revised, 
and any alterations or additions deemed necessary, made. The whole has 
accordingly been revised, some alterations made, and particularly the para- 
graph, stating the origin and design of Williston Seminary, been added. 

Easthampton, Jan. 1852. 



//7- r 



/ 



HISTOEICAL SKETCH. 



In accepting the invitation of the young gentlemen of this Associa- 
tion, to address them, on this occasion, it occurred to me that it might 
be both interesting and profitable, to present them with a brief histori- 
cal sketch of this town. Easthampton, then, is the theme of my dis- 
course, this evening. The sketch will mostly relate, however, to East- 
hampton as it was previously to the commencement of the present 
century ; and, if I seem tedious in the statements I make respecting 
the aboriginal proprietors of this beautiful region ; the settlement of it 
by our fathers and their sufferings ; and the various incidents connected 
with the incorporation of Easthampton, with some allusions to the 
character and manners of our ancestors, my apology for any tedious- 
ness of detail, must be the deep interest I have ever taken in every 
thing that relates to my early home, and to those generations of men 
and women, who have long since left the stage of life, and to whom 
we are all so much indebted, under God, for every thing we possess 
and enjoy. 

It is just that I should here acknowledge my obligations for many 
of the statements I shall make, to Sylvester Judd, Esq., of North- 
ampton, who is well informed on all subjects relating to the history 
of the Hamptons. In some cases I shall avail myself of his language, 
because I find none better for stating the circumstances he has com- 
municated. 

Easthampton is a part of a tract of land which John Pynchon 
negotiated for, of the Indians, in 1653, and bought of them the next 
year, " in consideration," as it is stated, " of 100 fathoms (about 
(iOO \\.) of wninpuni, 10 coats, a few trifling ])rr!?ent? to the principal 



Chiefs or Sachems, one of whom was a woman, and the ploughing of 
IG acres of hind at Hadley.' "The whole tract," according to Hoyt, 
" extended from the Falls at South Hadley, to what is now Hatfield, 
and westwardly from the Connecticut River, about nine miles, embrac- 
ing nearly 5,000 acres of alluvial bottom." This tract includes 
nearly all the four Hamptons.* The consideration originally given for 
it would not probably exceed the five hundreth part of a cent per acre. 
It appears that in 1658, there was one Sachem who expressed some 
dissatisfaction, complaining that he had not received so much for his 
part of the land as he expected. In view of his complaint, the inhabi- 
tants of Northampton agreed to satisfy his demand, and a new deed 
was executed by the Sachem, and he relinquished to^orthampton 
all his right and title to the township. The consideration seems to us 
at this day truly small, but we must remember that to the savage 
large tracts of land were worthless, except as hunting grounds ; and 
these grounds he could as well occupy for hunting after the transfer 
as before. And then, too, the articles received in exchange for land, 
were really worth to him, or he fancied them to be so, all the land 
could be worth to him. They were articles he really wanted, and the 
land he did not want for cultivation. And it may be added, that our 
fathers in the early settlement of the country, transferred to each other 
tracts of land, which are now very valuable, for a mere trifle. The 
money or articles they received in barter were worth more to them 
than the land. The ground where the speaker now resides, or near 
it, was bought as late as 1774, by David Chapman, Sen., for ^1.91 
per acre. 

We occupy grounds in this town, once the favorite resort and 
dwelling place of the Indian race, now long since gone from this val- 
ley. Here, they fished, and doubtless procured shad and salmon, in 
great abundance, at the Falls near us, below the grist-mill. I say 
doubtless, for a gentleman is still living in our midst, who has seen 
a large quantity of shad, just caught, on the bank below the Falls. 
And there is testimony that salmon also were taken here. And 
here too they hunted, for these plains abounded with deer. This 
was truly the home of the red men, where they had their pow-wows, 
and their dances, sang their war-songs, and celebrated the valorous 
deeds of their ancestors. Two portions of the town were named by 
them, and these names have been transmitted to modern times. 

**£"(.■(• AiiiK.MuJix, iS'uti.' 1. 



5 

Would that we had more of these Indian names ; for instance, that 
we knew the Indian name of our noble mountain, so that we might 
no longer detract from its dignity, by calling it after Corporal Tom.* 
Long may it be before the names of Nashawannuck and Pascommuck 
shall be forgotten, or cease to be used. They are names of which 
none of us need be ashamed. The last place occupied by the 
Indians, within the limits of this town, where they had a village and 
fort, was at Pascommuck, on or near what is now called Fort Plain. 
This location for a fort, it appears, they obtained by petition of the 
town of Northampton, in 1664, on condition " they would behave in 
an orderly manner." They resided at this place till Phillip's war, as 
it was called, in 1675 and 76, when they joined the hostile Indians, 
and never returned. They must have left reluctantly a position to 
them so favorable for obtaining the means of subsistence, but partaking 
of the spirit of the greatest Indian chieftain of that age, they left 
forever the banks of the Manhan and Connecticut, and the graves of 
their fathers, to ally their fortunes to those of that unfortunate mon- 
arch. There is a sadness connected with the reflection, that the 
race, who once roamed over these meadows and plains, is utterly 
extinct here, and so far as we know, they passed away unblessed by 
the gospel. 

A few years before they left, the first settlement in what is now 
Easthanipton, was made at Nashawannuck. " John Webb, who died 
in 1670, had built a log house, at that place, and had resided there 
a few years. Families of the name of Webb and Danks continued to 
dwell there for a long time, and many of these fiimilies died and were 
buried there." So that the first burial ground in Easthanipton was 
in that place. But, it is asserted, that the place of burial is now 
unknown. So soon, in many cases, are the graves of the dead 
ploughed over and forgotton. One of the family of Danks, by the 
name of Benoni, became distinguished in military life. He was a 
Colonel in the British Army. 

The next portion of what is now Easthampton, that Was settled, 
was on the north side of the Manhan near us. The first building 
that was probably erected there was a saw-mill, near the mouth of 
saw-mill brook, not far from the ground on which now stands the 
house owned by J. Emerson Lyman. " The town of Nortiiampton," 
says my informant, " gave liberty to erect the saw-mill, in 1C74. In 

'■ Sl''' Appi'iiiliN, Niite- 2. 



lf)Sr)-7, the town gave Samuel Bartlett liberty to set up a corn mill, 
upon Manhan river, below the cart-way, on the Falls of the river." 
The mill was probably soon built. It is not known how soon a 
dwelling-house was erected. In 1705, Samuel Bartlett gave his son 
Joseph the mill and the land about it. The French and Indian war, 
about that time, probably prevented any one from residing here for some 
years. Joseph Bartlett was the first permanent resident Jiere, probably 
as early 1725 or 30. It is evident that Jonathan Clapp, his nephew, 
resided with hitn about this time. Joseph died in 1755, and having no 
children, gave his property mostly to the Clapps ; some, however, to 
liis brothers. The gifts of land to his brothers were made, on condition 
they should pay £4. 8s. 1 Id. each, to the church of Christ that should 
first be established, and celebrate divine ordinances and worship, 
within half a mile of his dwelling house." This sum was paid ir^ 
alter thne, agreeably to his will. Thus it appears from his will, 
dated April, 1754, that he and others were then looking forward to 
the establishment of a church in this neighborhood. " Joseph Bart-, 
lett kept the first public house, in what was afterwards Easthampton. 
He was licensed in 1727, and for nearly twenty years afterwards. 
Landlord Bartlett's was a noted place in those days, a place of much 
resort. When there was preaching in this neighborhood, and there 
often was, it was at his house !" 

Some brothers by the name of Wait planted themselves, as early 
as 172G or 30, near the present residence of Medad Clapp, but after 
many years, they removed to other towns. David Bartlett, a brother of 
Joseph, built a house fifty or sixty rods north-west of the present resi- 
dence of Medad Clapp, where he died, which was standing till with- 
in a few years. To this house persons were taken during the Revo- 
lutionary war, who had the small pox — a disease, the terror of the 
country in those days, before the introduction of the kine pock vac- 
cination. It was at this house, that Col. Hosford, of the revolutiona- 
ry army, died of this disease, and was buried near the house. Here, 
died also the Rev. i\]r. Hooker, of the same disease, the successor of 
the Rev. Jonathan Edwards of Northampton. His body was carried 
circuitously, in the night, through the meadows, to its last resting 
place, in the Northampton burying ground. This privacy of burial 
was to prevent others from taking the disease. Mr. Hooker himself 
took it by merely passing along on the side of the street opposite to 
the house, where Col. Hosford was taken ill in Northampton, before 
ho, (the Col.) was removed to the house where ho died. 



" Northampton,-' says my informant, " originally appropriated the 
meadows above and below the grist mill, to the use of the School. 
In 1744, the town sold all the upper School meadow, and some up- 
land adjoining, to Dea. Stephen Wright and Benjamin Lyman. They 
removed here soon after." Benjamin Lyman settled where J. E. Ly- 
man's house now stands, then in Northampton, and Dea. Wright 
where Eli Graves now lives, then the second precinct of Northamp- 
ton, afterwards Southampton. 

A son of each of these neighbors was in the memorable battle of 
Sept. 8, 1755, near Lake George, in which battle, Col. Williams, the 
founder of Williams College, was slain, and about 200 others, very 
many of whom were from this region. Of that number was Eliakim 
Wright, son of Stephen. Lemuel Lyman, son of Benjamin, then 
about 19 years of age, was in the battle, and was saved by his bullet 
pouch. A ball struck that, and by that was prevented from entering 
his body. The pouch is still preserved in one of the many families 
of his descendants. The balls used on that occasion by the enemy, 
were glazed with arsenic or some other poison, so that even a slight 
wound might prove mortal. I recollect hearing, in early life, an old 
gentleman * of this town, who was then a soldier near the place of 
carnage, on that day, give a most thrilling account of the terrible 
scenes that followed that battle. 

But, it is time for me to hasten to speak of the settlement of the 
third division of the town, viz : Pascommuck. This occurred about 
the year 1700. Five families settled near each other, at or near the 
east end of Mount Tom : Moses Hutchinson, John Searl, Benoni 
Jones, Samuel Janes, and Benjamin Janes. These families estab- 
lished themselves on the land now occupied by the heirs of the late 
Phillip Clark — Capt. Thaddeus Parsons, Lysander W. Parsons, and 
Joseph Parsons, or near thf^ir present residences. It appears they were 
not properly protected and secured against any sudden attack of the 
savage foe. The consequence was, this village was destroyed by the 
Indians, in the month of May, 1704, under circumstances of appall- 
ing barbarity. It was when the meadows, near the Connecticut, were 
overflowed, and thus all communication with Northampton, except 
by water, was entirely cut off, that a party of savages, impelled by 
hunger and their natural ferocity, wandered along down towards the 
north end of Mount Tom, and, observing the height of the flood, 

" Lieut. Asahel Clark. See Appendix, Note 3, 



8 

tlioy seized on an opportunity so favorable to themselves, to descend 
on these few families, just before it was fully light in the morning. 
^I'he onset on these inhabitants was as unexpected to them, as it was 
furious on the part of their assailants ; and though a defence was 
attempted, at one house, yet, they were all soon overpowered, and 
nearly all slain or captured. Nineteen or twenty were slain. Tra- 
dition says, some sprightly lads were preserved by their captors, to 
accompany them on their route to Canada. It appears also that one 
man, believed to be Benjamin Janes, escaped and ran down to the 
water, where, finding a boat or canoe, as he probably expected to, he 
at once jumped in, and pushed beyond the reach of his pursuers. 
He arrived at Northampton and gave the alarm. A troop of Cavalry, 
under command of a Capt. John Taylor, started with the view of 
intercepting the savages with their prey. He came out, as it is 
understood, on what is called the Westfield road, passing through the 
present center of this town, on to the south part of it, where between 
the road and Mount Tom- on what was called many years since, the 
Brewer farm, nowowned by Charles E. and Chester Wait, he came up 
with the Indians. They had warning, doubtless, of his approach with 
his troop, and they knocked in head all the lads — though not able in 
their haste, to scalp all — except one active lad by the name of Elisha 
Searl. He, seeing the work of destruction beginning, caught up a 
pack, and ran along with them, thereby showing them, that if they 
would spare him, he would not only be no hindrance to them, but 
would help them and keep up wiih them. He was spared. Capt. 
Taylor, it is said, was too impetuous, and being considerably in 
advance of his men, fell on the first fire from the enemy, doubtless 
concealed in ambush. It is not known, whether any others were 
killed ; it is certain, however, that the party of savages escaped, and 
passed on over Pomeroy's mountain, where a woman, scalped and left 
by them, probably, as dead, was found by our people alive, and car- 
ried on a litter to Northampton. This woman, the wife of Benjamin 
Janes, afterwards a deacon of the church in Coventry, Ct , recovered 
from her severe wounds, and lived to old age. 

Another woman, whose husband, John Searl, was killed at Pas- 
commuck, survived a severe blow from a tomahawk on her head, and 
from her daughter, born the following September, are many descen- 
dants. One of these has in her possession a silver hair pin, an article 
of head dress peculiar to those times, worn on the head of her ances- 
tor at the time the savage inflicted the blow. 



The lad, Elisha Searl, tlie son of the last mentioned woman, fol- 
lowed his new masters to Canada, and was brought up in the Catho- 
lic faith. To that he became much attached, as well as to Canadian 
or Indian life ; so much so, it is said, that it was with the greatest 
difficulty his friends could prevail on him when here, many years af- 
ter, on a visit, to remain here, and adopt civilized for savage life. 
These friends, however, at length, prevailed ;* and when Pascommuck 
was re-settled, some ten or twelve years after the massacre, he occu- 
pied the place where his father lived when slain. It might here be 
stated, that his attachment to the Catholic faith was somewhat weak- 
ened, previously to his return from Canada, when, on a certain occa- 
sion, being about to leave home, on a long journey, to the west, he 
asked a priest what he should do during his absence, there being with 
him no priest to whom he could confess ; he was told he could con- 
fess to a tree, that would do as well. 

One other incident connected with the massacre of the lads, just 
before the skirmish with Capt. Taylor, ought not to be omitted. One 
of the lads, Samuel Janes, though knocked on the head, and doubt- 
less left for dead, was only stunned by the blow. He recovered, was 
one who re-settled Pascommuck, and was the progeniior of a multi- 
tude, many of whom are residents of this town, at this day. 

On the same day of the slaughter at Pascommuck, ten Indians 
attacked a house lower down the river, near what is now Smith's 
Ferry. Though this place is not in Easthampton, as it might have 
been, if a true policy had always been pursued, yet I mention the cir- 
cumstance as illustrating the resolution and courage of men of those 
times, and showing, too, their mode of defense. "There were only 
two men in thi; house, and yet they would not surrender.! One of 
them fired and shot at an Indian and broke his arm. The Indians, 
then, tried to burn the house by shooting spiked arrows, dipped in 
brimstone, upon the roof," being covered, probably, with thatch or 
straw ; but one of the men within, wrapping a bed around him, 
went out to the well and drew water, and extinguished the fire. The 
Indians dared not approach to kill him while thus engaged, for 
fear of being shot by the one in the house ; and having been foiled in 
their attempt they withdrew. 

It is not known, certainly, that any others, after the disaster at 
Pascommuck, living within the present limits of this town, were killed 

*Capt, Benjamin Wright and Thomas Stebbins. t See Appendi.x, Note 4. 

2 



10 

by the Indians. Samuel and Joseph Parsons were killed in 1708, 
either in Pasconimuck, or just below it. 

Nathaniel Edwards, 2d, of Northampton, was killed in 1724, at the 
brook near the present residence of Samuel Phelps. He was return- 
ing home with a cart load of produce, probably from these meadows, 
as they were leased to Northampton men for cultivation, and though he 
was out here with others, who were together for the sake of mutual 
protection, yet it is said, that in crossing the fording place over the 
Manhan, just above the present bridge, he was delayed for some rea- 
son, consequently fell behind the other teamsters, was way-laid at 
the brook, shot and scalped. Tradition says, that a negro was asleep 
on the load at the time the event occurred Being awakened by the 
noise of the gun, or of the whooping of the savages over their 
fallen victim, he raised his head and looked over cautiously to 
see what was going on, and saw the savages scalping his master. 
The team, it appears, passed on to the top of the hill ; and then, 
he slipped from the load, took a horse from the team, mounted, and 
overtaking the other teamsters, informed them of what had hap- 
pened. The murderers, however, escaped unpunished. 

It does not appear that the inhabitants of this region were again 
much alarmed from fear of the Indians, till about 1746, when some 
houses : viz. Joseph Bartlctt's at the Mills, and Samuel Janes' at 
Pascomrauck, were fortified as places of refuge, in case of an 
attack ; and mounts were erected as watch houses. Maj. Jonathan 
Clapp's house, too, which stood near where T. J. Pomeroy's 
house now stands, was protected, also, by extra defences. An aged 
lady, at the time I am speaking of, a youth in that family, told me 
some forty years ago, that she well remembered the Indians coming, 
at night, and rapping at the barred entrance of the house. So that 
we are not so remote, as some of us may imagine, from times of 
peril that tried the soul, when there was reason to suspect danger, on 
every hand, day and night, from a wiley and lurking savage. 

But I proceed to speak of the settlement of other parts of the 
town. " The first settlers in the west part of this town were Samuel 
and Eldad Pomeroy and their sons. Eldad settled near where John 
Clapp now lives, and Samuel on the other side of the road, on land 
now owned by Deacon E. W. Hannum. Their settlement, probably, 
took place about 1732. Soon after, Caleb, son of Samuel, estab- 
lished himself on the hill where his grandson, Warham, new lives." 
In 17G0, John Hannum and Eleazer Ilannum, were located near 



11 

where their descendants now reside. About the time the Pomeroys 
established iheniselves, " Ebenezer Corse planted himself on the 
plain, where Spencer Clapp now lives. It is said of him, that he 
was an eccentric man, of great boldness and courage. The tradi- 
tion is, that he would never remove, as others did, when the Indians 
were about, but always remained on his own premises." The other 
settlers on the plains, who followed in a few years, were Stephen 
Wright and Aaron Clapp and Benjamin Clapp. One of the first 
settlers in the south part, was Bildad Brewer. I presume that he 
was not established there very early, since that part of the town was 
not regarded as so favorable for cultivation as other parts. In 
the north part of the town, there were two families located as 
early as 1750, by the name of Joseph and Titus Wright. They 
afterwards removed from that location. The families recorded as 
settled in Pascominuck in 1759, were Eliakim Clark, Jonathan Janes, 
Joseph Searl, Ebenezer Ferry, Elisha Searl, Samuel Janes, Widow 
Wharton, John Brown, Noah Clark, Jr., and Daniel Alexander. 
Zebadiah and John Alvord settled there in 1751 or 1752. 

The first effort made to form what is now Easthampton into a 
town or district, was in 1773. At that time, what is now East- 
hampton belonged to Northampton and Southampton; and, was 
divided as follov/s. All east of a line beginning near the bridge over 
the Manhan river, and running southwardly on the Westfield road, 
so called, to land now owned by Gamaliel Pomeroy, in Southampton, 
and all northwardly of a line beginning near the mouth of Saw-mill 
brook, and extending westwardly in the rear of the houses now owned 
by Eli Graves and Samuel Wright, to the road just beyond S. Wright's 
house, along said road westwardly through the house now owned by 
Deacon E. W, Hannum, towards Pomeroy's mountain; all east and 
north of these lines belonged to Northampton, and the other part of 
course to Southampton. The inhabitants of the part of the town of 
what is now Easthampton, which then belonged to Northampton, 
petitioned Northampton, in March, 1773, to be set off into a town or 
district. " The committee appointed to consider the petition and 
report, reported in favor of the petition, and proposed the lines for 
the new town or district ; they also proposed to raise 300 pounds 
to enable the new town to build a meeting-house and settle a minis- 
ter. The town accepted the report ; and some time after instructed 
their representative in the General Court, to use his endeavors in fa- 
vor of the new town. Southampton made strong opposition to the 



12 

measure, and the revolutionary troubles coining on, the project was 
suspended for some years. The subject was again agitated in 1781 and 
82. Northampton again voted to set off the new town, and estimating 
those who would be set off at one-eighth of all the inhabitants of the 
town, they proposed to give them one-eighth of the value of the 
public property of tlie town, and something more. But the district 
was not incorporated, owing, it is presumed, to the opposition of 
Southampton, till 1785." 

The number of families set off from Northampton was probably 
less than sixty, and the number of persons not far from 300. On the 
13th cf Nov. 1785, forty-six persons were dismissed from the church 
in Northampton, for the purpose of uniting with others in a church 
to be formed in this place. Others, a few months afterwards, were 
dismissed for the same object. There were about fifteen families set 
off from Southampton. The number of church members was 26. 
These had been trained under the excellent ministry of the Rev. Mr. 
Judd of that town. The church in this place was organized, Nov. 
17, 1785, at the house of Capt. Joseph Clapp. It then consisted of 
72 members.* The new District contained, probably, a few more 
than 400 souls. 

The lines of demarkation between this and the other towns were 
very irregular. It seems, to some extent, to have been a matter of 
choice with many of the borderers, whether they should be set off to 
Easthampton, or remain as they were. In 1809, when Easthampton 
was incorporated as a town, and since, there has been some improve- 
ment in regard to lines ; but still it would be worth a very great ef- 
fort, to give more regularity to the town lines. I cannot think that 
such an effort would be fruitless, if a map of the town, as it now is, 
accompanied with suitable representations, were presented to any 
Legislature. 

The motives which urged our fathers to press the matter of separa- 
tion from Northampton and Southampton, were doubtless good. A 
prominent one was that they might have nearer to them a place of 
public worship. t That was truly a laudible motive. They and their 
fathprs loved the sanctuary. They had seen the time when they had 
repaired thither with arms in their hands, to defend themselves, their 
wives and little ones, while engaged in divine worship. t But after 
1759, at the close of the French war, if not earlier, there was no lon- 

* See Appoiulix, ISole 5. t Note G. 



13 

ger any fear of an attack from blood thirsty savages. No more did 
the war whoop awake the sleep of the cradle. No more did that 
unearthly yell send consternation and dismay through the hearts of 
mothers and fathers. Peace had now for several years pervaded all 
these blessed borders. From 1739, this region had been remarkably 
favored of God. Under the ministry of the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, 
the spirit of God came down like a mighty rushing wind, and converts 
to righteousness, in this region, were multiplied like the drops of the 
morning dew. A great part of this town belonged to the Parish of 
that eminent man of God. And it was in Pascommuck, that the 
great revival of 1739 commenced — a revival which, in its progress, 
became the wonder of thousands in that age, both in this country and 
Great Britain. Seldom, if ever, have there been in New England 
richer displays of divine grace in the renewal and formation of human 
character — in fitting men for duty here, — and glory, and honor and 
immortalily hereafter. The great portion of the population, trained 
under such preaching, and created anew by God's truth and spirit, 
were pre-eminently indoctrinated in his word, and pre-eminently con- 
scientious in the discharge of duty. The settlers of all the Hamp- 
tons were originally of the same general character. All of the old 
Puritan stock, they were in the main rigid and exact in the perform- 
ance of their relative duties to each other, and, especially, of what 
they thought they owed to God. In nothing were the fathers of this 
town more conscientious, than in the observance of the Sabbath. 
They universally began it, at the going down of the sun, or at dusk, 
Saturday evening. In many cases, preparations were made for the 
joyful coming of the Sabbath sometime before sun-set, that nothing, 
unnecessary, might possibly interfere with the sacred observance of 
the Sabbath, at the very beginning of it. The father shaved, and the 
mother prepared every thing of a culinary nature, needed the next 
day, that could well be made ready, and both parents, with their chil- 
dren and the book of God open before them, were often waiting, ere 
the setting of the sun, to cross together the sacred threshold of the 
Sabbath. And then, too, with what pains and promptness, they wait- 
ed on the preaching of the word in the sanctuary. How constant in 
their attendance.* How serious and reverent, when there. They 
loved the preaching of God's word — they loved all his ordinances. 
They could, patiently, listen an hour or more, to the exposition of 

* See Appendix, Note 7. 



14 

some truth by the immortal Edwards. And, in prayer, approaching 
in no small degree to the length of the sermon, men and women too 
could st^ind.* And if a man was seated in prayer, it must be he was 
sick, or infirm; and if it occurred, on a particular Sabbath, for the 
first lime, it would not be strange if his case, for subsequent days, 
were a matter of anxious inquiry. Many oiten stood through no 
small pan of the delivery of the sermon. The truth is, they were no 
more reluctant to stand during prayer, in those days, than men 
are now to stand two or more hours, to hear some great states- 
man discourse on the great principles of their party. These men, 
now have strength enouirh of nerve, muscle and limb to stand before 
the statesman ; and so had those men of ancient times, our venerable 
fathers, to stand before God, in his sanctuary, in accordance, as they 
believed, with scripture example, and the practice of all the primitive 
christians. The modern position in prayer, so much adopted, has cer- 
tainly the advantage of the old, in that, it is more comfortable, — easi- 
er ; but with men of the stamp of our fathers, such a consideration 
would surely have little weight. 

Great stress was laid by men of the past generation, on the per- 
formance of the public duties of the Sabbath. It will surprise some 
of my hearers to be informed, that a law once existed, compelling 
men to attend meeting on the Sabbath, once every quarter, or sub- 
mit to the payment of a fine. I say nothing of the wisdom of such 
a law. The law was once or twice actually enforced in this place. 
And then, too, that other law which forbade all unnecessary travelling 
on the Sabbath ; how faithfully that was executed by the warden or 
tythingmvin, carrying through the street his staff of office. And, 
constructed as the galleries then were, in the meeting-houses, and 
occupied as they then were, almost entirely by the youth, how fre- 
quently this cfficer had occasion to exercise the duties of his office, 
during and after divine worship. Often did the playful boy, snugly 
ensconced in one corner of a gallery pew or pen, more intent on play 
than on listening to the sermon, hear the monition of the tythino-man, 
warning him by name, with stentorian voice, to desist from his play; 
and sometimes, too, he wished himself very small, as the self-impor- 
tant official opened the pew door, took him out and showed him up to 
the staring congregation. During this operation, at times interrupt-, 
ing the good minister in the delivery of his discourse, the unluckjj 

* See Apppudix, Xote ?, 



15 

Wight certainly felt small and cheap too, whatever his size may havfe 
been. And how dreaded, too, was that warden fetaff, by the young folks, 
who were bent on whispering, laughing or playing in divine worship, 
and how often did they have occasion to rue that propensity, as they 
felt on the head, the rap from that staff, not soon to be forgotten. 

But those men of former times had their views of duty. We will 
do them honor. The times are changed. Those men were among 
the choicest spirits of any age. And I love, in tliese days of general 
laxity, in regard to many subjects of vital importance, to dwell on 
their strictness, their conscientiousness, their moral firmness, their 
inflexible integrity, because as they understood it, they aimed to do 
their duty. It was not so much a question with them, whether this 
or that measure be popular, but whether it be right. It was a dis- 
tinguishing trait in their characters, to prefer to work righteousness, 
in obedience to God's will, whether they acted as private individuals, 
or as magistrates, and then to leave all consequences to Him. Popu- 
larity was the reward of doing duty. And other things being equal» 
one who was the most observant of the laws of the land, was the most 
likely to be promoted to office by his fellow-citizens. Popularity 
hunters, and office hunters were much more scarce in this regionj 
seventy-five or one hundred years ago, than they are at this day. Is 
he honest ? Is he capable? Will he probably do his duty to his 
country, come what may ?^were questions much more apt lo be 
asked, in reference to qualifications for office, in that golden age. 
How different from such miserable interrogatories as these : — Has lie 
done well for his party ? Is it not his turn? 

But I hasten away from the arena of politics, and eater a far more 
peaceful, quiet and delightful scene. Our fathers not only loved to 
unite in prayer with the minister in the sanctuary ; they loved also 
to pray in the family. Family prayer was nearly, if not an universal 
practice. This was true, I believe, long after the settlement of the 
Rev. Mr. Williston, which occurred Aug. 13, 1T69. Indeed, I can 
myself well remember, when it was regarded as a rather unusual cir- 
cumstance for a head of a family, in this place, not to lead in devo- 
tion in his family, every morning and evening. The family assem* 
bled: 

" with serious face, 
Tliey round I lie fire side form a circle wide ; 
The sire turns o'er with patriarchal grace 
The big hall bible, once his father's pride j 



16 

Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide, 

He selects a portion with judicious care. 
And, ' let us worship God,' he says, with solemn air, 

Then to heaven's eternal King 

The saint, the father, and the husband prays : 

Hope springs eiulting on triumphant wing. 
That thus they all shall meet in future days : 

There ever bask in uncreated rays, 
No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear ; 

Together hymning their Creator's praise, 
In such societv, yet still more dear. 

While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere." 

May such scenes ever exist in our midst, and the hallvvoing influ- 
ence of family prayer be felt in every household, in the formation of the 
intellectual as well as and moral character. None can unite in such 
prayer regularly every morning and evening, and not be better sons, 
and better daughters, better men, and better women, citizens and 
patriots of a higher and nobler style. True patriotism — genuine- 
love of country — the true friends of order, government, and the 
union — the staunchest supporters of our free institutions in the day of 
imminent peril, are produced by such influences. The men of this 
place, in 1787, who stood firmly by the government, when disaffec- 
tion to it was rife in some quarters of this region, were men who had 
been taught around the family altar, better than to join the ranks of 
rebellion ; so that in those ranks only a single individval from this 
place could be found. And here, I cannot omit to record an inci- 
dent, in those times of trial, an incident of great interest to us, the 
descendants of such mon. When, on a certain occasion, there was 
a gathering of the people near where we are now assembled, and it 
was proposed by an individual,* in order to test their feelings and to 
draw out and unite the friends of law, that all who were friends of 
the government should follow the fife and drum ; all to a man fol- 
lowed.t And not only were they ready, in this way, to express 
their devotion to law and order, but many of them actually engaged 
as soldiers in putting down the insurrection. Some of them were 
at Springfield, with those few hundred of government troops, in the 
barracks, on that memorable day, when Gen. Shepherd was most 
reluctantly compelled, from a sense of duty, to fire on and rout the 
advancing hosts of the insurgents headed by their chief, 

* Dea. Stephen Wright. 1 Sec Appendix, Note 9. 



17 

« 

In view of the result, I may be permitted to remark, how resolute 
and courageous men are, when conscious they are on the right side, 
engaged in sustaining the laws and regularly constituted authorities 
of their country, even though they themselves are much fewer in 
number, and arrayed against fearful odds, as was the case on that 
melancholy occasion. The truth is, our fathers, several of whom 
had been engaged in the revolutionary contest,* and all had suffered 
by it in a greater or less degree, prized too highly what had been 
gained by that struggle, to withstand the regular operation of law by 
a resort to arms, or to allow others to oppose it in this way, in order 
to redress any grievances that might exist. They were law and 
order men. They saw plainly in the train of successful rebellion 
and resistance to government, misrule and anarchy, and the loss of 
all that they held most dear. 

May the young gentlemen whom I have the honor and the pleasure 
to address this evening — the descendants of these true patriots, ever 
manifest such devotion to our free institutions and our glorious union, 
when the crisis shall demand it, that they who may come after them, 
may be as proud of them, as we are to«day of those from whom loe 
are descended. 

But, I must not weary your patience, though the chronicles of the 
town are not yet all told. There still are incidents of interest to a 
native of this town, which cannot now be told, in detail, for want of 
time. I can only allude to some of them. Such, for instance, as 
the existence of slavery once, on what is now our soil ; so that we 
must not forget that the evil, the existence of which we so much 
deplore at the South, once existed here. 

My informant says, that " Joseph Bartlett had two slaves, whom 
he set free by his will. John Lanckton, of Pascoramuck, had a 
slave that was valued in his inventory at sixty pounds. These are all 
the slaves probably that were ever owned in what is now Easthampton." 

Nor ought I to omit stating that this place has not been exempt 
from scenes of murderous violence. In 1780, Elisha Brown was killed 
by one Norton, in a fit of ungoverned passion, nearly opposite to the 
present Nashawannuck Factory boarding house. A few years later, 
an Indian woman was killed just below the grist-mill, as it was sup- 
posed, by her husband. Both Norton and the Indian were severally 
arraigned, on trial for their lives, but both were acquitted of being 
guilty of a capital crime. 

■-' ■ Xi'ii-i-ntlix, .Note JO, 

3 



18 

And, that other sad event, of accidental killing, ought to be 
chronicled here. One morning, in January, 1780, Samuel Coleman 
and Ezekiel Wood, two friends, were out hunting deer on the present 
farm of John Wright. On the hunting ground, they were separated. 
It was a foggy day. After a while, Coleman discovered a movement 
in the brush not far from him. He thought it was made by a deer, 
aud at once fired. And alas ! he had shot his friend ! This event, 
of course, filled the heart of a young widowed wife, and that of an 
ao-ed widowed mother, with the keenest anguish, and sent a thrill of 
sorrow through a sympathising community. 

In speaking of the various topics of interest to us, I must not forget 
just to glance at the burial places of past generations. We have a 
deep interest in these places; for our ancestors, our friends, are 
sleeping there. 

The ground adjacent to us has been occupied as a place of burial 
for about ninety-six years. It was originally owned by Benja- 
min Lyman, son of him who was one of the purchasers of School 
meadow, whose child was the first one deposited here. The original 
ground was probably given by the owner for a burying place. The 
other cemetery, in Pascommuck, was given by Eliakim Clark; and 
the first one buried there was a child of Jonathan Janes, in 1775. 

In these cemeteries, or sleeping places, as the term originally im- 
plies, have been laid a multitude of all ages. The infant of days ; 
the young man in his full vigor and strength, the maiden in the bloom 
of life, on each of whom centered the fondest parental hopes; the 
man of business, too, called away in the midst of all his cares, in the 
meridian of life ; the mother, who it seemed could not be spared from 
her babes ; the aged fathers and mothers in Israel, the pioneers of 
every good work here, the firm supporters of every thing excellent, 
having done what they could, rest here from their labors. Here, the 
mortal part will sleep till awakened by the trumpet, on that eternal 
morning. How useful to us to visit these burial places, to study the 
instructive and impressive lessons before us there. And if there be 
an interest taken in the invisible world, in the sleeping dust of men, 
why should we not cherish these places of the departed, adorn them 
with flowers, and shrubs, and trees, to make them, thus, interesting 
places of resort for reflection, and see to it, too, that they are kept 
sacred from every unhallowed purpose ? A suitable attention to the 
cemetery furnishes a most important testimony in favor of any people. 
Let us, then, be entitled to this favorable te^tinionv, bv the care \\\- 



'19 

shall take of these grounds from year to year. Leave them not to 
be neglected and forsaken, so that thc-y shall be the most forlorn of 
all places in our midst. 

But I hasten, in closing, to advert to the interest taken here, in 
earlier times, in the cause of education. It seems " Northampton 
first appropriated money for schooling at Bartlett's mill and Pascom- 
muck, in 1748, and nearly every year after that. Previously to that, 
there was no school except in the old village." To this statement, 
my friend adds as follows : " I find, however, one appropriation for a 
school at Pascommuck, in 1739." He says " the schools were kept 
by men, and in the winter and spring only. The common price for 
teaching was six shillings a week, or twenty-four shillings a morith, 
and the teachers boarded themselves. Obadiah Janes, Phillip Clark, 
Joel Parsons, and others kept school, at this rate. When the teacher 
lived out of the district, something more was given. After Joseph 
Bartlett's death, that district was commonly called Clapp's Farms." 
These were truly, according to present views on this subject, humble 
efforts in the cause of education. Perhaps they vVere all that could 
be expected to be made in that age. While the wages of the teach- 
ers were low, it must be remembered, that the wages, also, of the 
laborer on the farm were low. An excellent hand could then be 
obtained on the farm through the year, probably for 35 or 40 dollars. 
There was hardly any employment, in winter, for men in those times, 
except in doing what was connected with farming operations. So 
that school-keeping, after all, was not a business so very much under- 
paid, for the times. Be that as it may have been, education was not 
neglected. Men were found to teach school, at the price already sta- 
ted, though with qualifications very much inferior to what are required 
of teachers of common schools, at this day. From these humble 
beginnings, the system of common scliool education grew more and 
more into fiivor, and long since was firmly established in the hearts of 
the people. 

Easthampton, it is believed, has furnished her full quota of men 
educated at College. The population was small, we have seen, 
when incorporated into a District, and it increased but slowly ; so 
that, at no time, previously to the last census, had it exceeded 74;"). 
Our popidation at each census has been as follows : In 1790 — 457; 
1800— 5S6; 18I0-6G0 ; 1820—712; 1830—745; 1840—717; 
1850—1202, the State census ; 1348, U. S. census. 

Though our population has been so small, twenty from tliis 



20 * 

to'.vn have received the honors of College.* Thirteen of this 
number have been licensed to preach the gospel. And it may 
be noticed, as rather remarkable, it is not known that more than two 
of the whole number have departed this life. All these have been 
educated since the commencement of the ministry of our venerable 
first Pastor.t 

And here in this connexion, some account ought to be given of the 
origin and design of Williston Seminary, established here by the 
extraordinary munificence of the Hon. Samuel Williston. This 
Institution originated in a desire to extend the advantages of a thor- 
ough training, in the elements of an English and Classical education. 
The idea of such a school was suggested sometime before the close 
of 1840 ; but it was not fully and finally decided to found and locate 
it, here, till December of that year, or in January, 1841. In February 
following, it was incorporated with the power to hold 850,000 for 
educational purposes ; and not only that amount, but $5,000 in 
addition, has been fully expended in its establishment and endowment. 
It was opened for the admission of students, Dec. 2, 1841. 

The founder of this Seminary and its early friends, hoped that the 
existence of such a school, of the high order they contemplated, 
would greatly promote the interests of Academical education in 
Western Massachusetts. It was not their aim merely to multiply 
Academies. These, such as they were, were already quite numerous 
enough in this region. Rut, they had either a very small endowment, 
or none at all ; and were generally farmed or let out to teachers, who 
kept up schools, in the be.st way they could, through the year, or a 
part of it. There could seldom be any division of labor in teaching, 
for want of funds to procure a suitable number of competent teachers. 
The minds of the teachers were often distracted by the many recita- 
tions they were obliged to hear, in a manner as unsatisfactory to 
themselves as to their pupils. And then, again, there was a lack of 
discipline in these Academies generally, so essential to the existence 
of a good school. It was not strange that the motive to have as 
large a nnmber as possible connected with the Academy — because 
the more students, the more salary — should often have had too strong 
an influence for the good of the Academy, in retaining scholars. 
And as no school can be distinguished for thoroughness of instruc- 
tion, unless equally marked in its character for strictness of disci- 

* Sue Apii'Mnlix, Nutc II. I Nolc 12. 



21 

plinc, it was deemed an object of great moment to the interests of 
education in this region, that an academical institution should be 
established, with a sufficient endowment, on the one hand, lo allow 
the employment of an adequate number of accomplished teachers, 
with the necessary division of labor in teaching; and on the other 
hand, that these teachers should be independent in the control and 
government of their pupils. Strictness in discipline, and thorough- 
ness in instruction, with the word of God, were to constitute the 
true basis of the new institution. Its crowning excellence was to 
consist in a faithful application, on the part of the teachers, of the 
great principles of the Bible to the consciences, intellects and hearts 
of their pupils. Unless the above named objects were steadily kept 
in view by the teachers, and as steadily pursued, the existence of the 
Seminary was not demanded. With these sure elements of pros- 
perity, and amply endowed, as it was to be, to enable the teachers 
to accomplish the designs in view, its establishment was regarded, at 
the time it was founded, as an object of the highest importance. 
The fact that within a few years after it went into operation, thousands 
of our youth had availed themselves of its advantages, is evidence 
of the high estimation in which it was held by the public, and also of 
the wisdom of its establishment. Of these thousands, many have 
completed their collegiate course, many others are now in college, 
while several hundred more, having been greatly aided here in quali- 
fying themselves, as teachers in our common schools, have been and 
still are, engaged in that very important sphere of duty. One great 
object in view in the establishment of the Seminary, was to raise up 
and qualify common school teachers for their employment. 

In consequence of the existence of the Seminary, the removal of 
the Button Works of S. Williston & Co., to this place, three years 
since, and the incorporation of the Nasliawannuck Suspender Facto- 
ry, owned by the above firm, and adjoining to the Button Works, the 
population and valuation of this town have greatly increased. The 
valuation for 1840 was $]81,037, and of 1850, $434,564. About 
sixty-five dwelling houses, besides public buildings and stores, have 
been erected since 1840, within a mile of the center of the town. 
From an inconsiderable place, this has become one of the most thriv- 
ing villages in this region. To one who can look to the time when 
Easthampton was incorporated as a District, and the first Pastor soon 
after settled in the ministry, the change, here, must appear very great. 
And what reminiscences, both sad and pleasing, that former Pastor 



22 

must have ; sad as lie reflects that all the men twenty-one years of 
age, who could have legally taken any part in inviting him to settle 
here as Pastor — all, with a single exception, have gone before him 
into the' eternal world ; and pleasing, as he views the prosperity of 
the people of his late charge, from the Sabbath morning, when he 
came from Pascommuck for the first time into this place, wending 
his way along up, partly through brush and woods, to preach his first 
sermon, here, in that humble and unfinished house of worship,* that 
stood within the park enclosure. 

What reminiscences, I say, he must have in view of the changes 
that have occurred during this long period, so eventful to Easthamp- 
ton ! No one in the evening of life can have so delightful reflections, 
as the faithful minister of the gospel. As no other profession is so 
noble, so he who can look back on a life well spent in that profession 
has his own peculiar reward, even on this side of the grave. And 
then, too, that crown of life that is laid up for the faithful. And the 
waiting for this in humble hope and cheerful expectation, together 
with the present reward, must gild the evening horizon of that fait Ii- 
ful and beloved Pastor with the mildest radiance. How blessed it is 
to be qualified to do good and to have a heart to do it. How blessed 
to be a benefactor to our race. 

"I venerate the man whose heart is warm, 
Whose liands are pure, wliose doctrine aiui wiiose life 
Coincident, exiiibit lurid proof 
Tliat he is Jionest in the cacred cause."' 

* See Appendix, Note 13. 



APPENDIX 



Note 1. Northampton was incorporated in 1654 ; Southampton, 1753 ; 
VVesthampton, 1778; Easthampton, as a district, 1785, and as a town, 1809. 
Easthampton is the smallest of the four Hamptons in territory, and next to 
Nortliampion in population. The inhabitants of Easthampton, as a district, 
enjoyed all the privileges of towns, except they were not entitled to a repre- 
sentative in the Legislature. They were represented with Northampton. 
The legal voters of the district voted at Northampton, at the representative 
election, in May, annually, for representatives for both that town and the 
district. 

Note 2. The name of Mount Tom is said to have been derived from the 
following circumstance. Before the settlement of this region, an exploring 
party, to which belonged Sergt. Ilolyoke and Corporal Thomas, called Tom, 
came up from Springfield, or Windsor, Ct., and the latter, ascending the sum- 
mit near us, surveyed, with delight, the beautiful valley in a state of nature, 
and gave his name to the elevation on which he stood. The extensive view 
from it, at that time, must have been full of interest, but how much more 
delightful is the moral scenery which now meets the eye of the beholder from 
that point ! It is believed that there are very few places in the interior of our 
country, from which so much can be seen to gratify the heart, devoted to the 
great interests of education and religion. Not only are literary institutions, 
founded by a remarkable spirit of christian benevolence, in full view, but also, 
on almost every hand, are seen the spires of churches, assuring the friend of 
God and man, that in this region are laid broad and deep, the solid founda- 
tions of civil and religious freedom, for future generations. 

Mount Tom is partly in Northampton, and partly in Easthampton. The 
latter town extends down to the Connecticut river, cutting off entirely from 
the main part of Northampton, two small school districts which belong to that 
town, and are mostly between the Mount Tom range and Connecticut river. 
Some of the inhabitants of this portion of Northampton, separated as they are 
from the main part of that town, petitioned the Legislature, a few years since, 
to be annexed to Easthampton ; but tiie subject did not receive suitable atten- 
tion, and the petition w;ts withdrawn. 



24 

Note 3. Lieut. Clark did not belong to the scouting party commanded by 
Col. Williams, but was in the fort near the Lake, at the distance of a few 
miles from ihe scene of slaughter, where he bravely aided in the repulse of 
the enemy, under Baron Dieskau, as they rushed on greatly elated with their 
success in the defeat of the scouting party. Lieut. Clark was also at Ticon- 
deroga, three years after, when the British were defeated, with great carnage, 
in their attempt to take that fortress. British pride saved the colonial troops 
on that occasion, as they were not allowed to take any part in the assault. 

V 

Note 4. As an inducement for him to remain here, his friends procured fur 
him a Lieutenant's commission from the Colonial Government. 

An incident may here be related, concerning Lieut. Searl, showing the 
power which early training has on the mind. A professor of religion himself, he 
was on a certain occasion, by the bed-side of a dying Christian woman. Un- 
der the influence, for the moment, of the delusions of his Catholic fuith, he 
requested her to remember him in her prayers when in Heaven. But instantly 
recollecting liimself, he expressed emotions of astonishment, that he should 
have made such a request. 

Note 5. "Jan. 18, 178G, the brethren of the church met for the purpose of 
choosing deacons. They voted to choose three, and they made choice of Phil- 
lip Clark and Stephen Wright." Capt. Phillip Clark declined to accept the 
office. 

The names of those who have been successively chosen deacons of this 
church, and have ofliciated in that capacity, are as follows : Stephen Wright, 
Benjamin Lyman, Obadiah Janes, Joel Parsons, Solomon Lyman, Thaddeus 
Clapp, Sylvester Lyman, Julius Hannum, Ithamar Clark, Eleazer W. Hannum, 
Samuel Williston. 

Note 6. Not only were our fathers, in the early settlement of this region, 
obliged to carry arms to meeting on the Sabbatii, but they went armed also in- 
to their fields of labor; and while some labored, others stood guard for their 
mutual defence. Men were killed in going to their work, or returning from 
it — in the field, or on the road side — in the dwelling house, or near it. It was 
truly with great peril and sacrifice, that this fertile and beautiful valley was 
settled and cultivated, and those Institutions established, which are by far the 
most precious legacy that has descended to us from our fathers. 

Note 7. The regular attendance of our ancestors at meeting on the Sab- 
bath with their families, often very numerous, was remarkable. Many lived 
five, six, or more miles from a place of public worship, In winter, they used 
sleighs ; in all other seasons, they must either walk or ride horseback. If 
Providence permitted, they were constrained by a love of the truth to attend 
on the services of the Sanctuary, though they lived remote from it. It was 
indeed no small enterprise, in those times, to provide for the conveyance to 
meeting of a numerous family, living many miles from the house of wor.-?hip. 



25 

If they went horseback, tlie horses must be ready at a seasonal)le liour, each 
having on a saddle and a pillion. The several members of the family mounted 
from a horse-block, standing near every dwelling house. The father and 
mother, on one horse, with one, perhaps two, of the youngest children in their 
arms, led the way, while the older members, two on each horse, followed. At 
the house of worship, were horse-blocks for dismounting, conveniences deemed 
quite as necessary to meeting-houses, as the steps to the same. Wao-ons, 
drawn by one horse or two, were unknown in those times. It is quite certain 
that sixty years ago, there was not one two horse wagon in this place. Wagons 
drawn by single horses were introduced here about 1810 or 1811, and their 
introduction was regarded with much interest. 

Note 8. To accommodate the worshipping audience in prayer in the 
meeting-houses, many of the seats were made to be raised up, when the 
audience rose in prayer. The aged among us will easily recollect the clatter 
that followed at the close of the prayer, in putting down the seats. 

Note 9. It ought to be stated here, that not only at the time alluded to in 
the sketch, but also in the early part of this century, a remarkable union of 
sentiment prevailed here in relation to political subjects. For many years 
almost all the votes cast for State officers were for the candidates of one party. 
Not more than ten at the most, at any election, were given in opposition to the 
majority. And it may be added, that not less in religious, than in political 
sentiments, this people were then remarkably united. 

Note 10. It is not known exactly how many from what is now Easthanip- 
ton were engaged in the war of the Revolution. It is certain that among those 
engaged, inore or less, in the service of their country, were Capt. Joseph Clapp, 
and Quarter Master Benjamin Clajjp ; Doct. Stephen Wood, and liis sons, 
Daniel and David, — the father died in the service at West Point ; John Clapp,, 
who was in the army four years ; Benjamin Lyman, Jr., Stephen Wright, Jr., 
David Clapp, who never returned, Levi Clapp, Eliakim Clark, afterwards Cap- 
tain, Barzillai Brewer, and Willet Chapman. The last two died in the army. 
Moses Gouch, brought up in this place, served as a soldier through the war, 
and in January, 1797, was instantly killed here by the fall of a tree. 

The soldiers from this town at Springfield, were commanded by Capt. David 
Lyman, and his Lieutenant, was Noah Janes, afterwards Captain. 

During the last British war. Lieutenant Thaddeus Parsons, afterwards Cap. 
tain, and fourteen private soldiers, were drafted from the militia company in 
this town, and they marched to Boston for its defence. They all returned 
after an absence of a few weeks. 

Note 11. The following brief account of those who have graduated at 
College, it was thought would interest many friends, and was therefore deemed 
worthy a place in the appendix. 

Azariah Clark graduated at Williams College in 1805 ; studied Theology ; 
was ordained and settled in the ministry at Canaan, N. Y., and after many 

4 



^6 

years dismissed ; and in 1830 removed to Colebrook, Ct. where he died a, 
Pastor in 18;i2, aged 54. 

Job Clark graduated at Williams College, 1811 ; was a physician many 
years in Westfield, then removed to Ravenna, Ohio, where he is still employed 
in the medical profession. 

Elam C. Clark graduated at Williams College, 1812 ; studied Theology, was 
ordained Pastor of a church in Providence, R. I., April, 1824; dismissed 
February, 1825 ; taught school in Greenwich, and Sulfield, Ct , and died at the 
last named place, February, 1837, aged 48. 

Theodore Clapp graduated at Yale College, 1814 ; studied Theology ; was 
ordained and settled as Pastor of the First Congregational church in New 
Orleans, which relation he still sustains. 

Solomon Lyman graduated at Yale College, 1822 ; studied Theology; 
ordained a minister of the gospel ; settled in the ministry at Keeseville, N. Y.; 
afterwards at Poultney, Vt., then removed to this town, and is still employed 
in preaching in a neighboring village. 

Sumner G. Clapp graduated at Yale College, 1822 ; studied Theology; 
ordained and settled in the ministry at Enfield, afterwards at Cabotville ; and 
then removed to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he was recently installed as Pastor. 

Luther Wright graduated at Yale College, 1622 ; Tutor several years in that 
College; licensed to preach the gospel; afterwards employed as Associate 
Principal of the Ellington School, Ct. ; then Principal of Leicester Academy, 
and more recently of Williston Seminary ; and now of a private Classical 
School. 

Sylvester Clapp graduated at Union College, 1823; studied Theology; was 
ordained and settled in the State of Maine ; and also employed as Principal 
of an Academy. 

Silas C. Brown graduated at Union College, probably about 1828; studied 
Theology ; was ordained and settled in the ministry in Western New York. 

Francis Janes graduated at Williams College, 1830 ; studied Theology ; 
licensed to preach the gospel ; ordained and settled in the ministry in the 
State of New York. 

Theodore L, Wright entered Yale College, 1825; remained between one and 
two years ; left owing to ill health ; received, 1833, the Honorary degree of A. 
M., from Yale College ; employed in teaching some years as Principal of the 
Hartford City Grammar School ; and removed afterwards to Wisconsin, where 
he is now engaged in business. 

Thornton W. Clapp graduated at Williams College, 1835 ; was Prof of Math- 
ematics, in Washington College, Miss.; studied Theology ; was licensed to 
preach the gospel in the Episcopal church, and preached some years ; and 
then was employed as teacher. 

Edmund Wright graduated at Williams College, 1836 ; studied Theology ; 
ordained minister of the gospel ; was Home Missionary for many years in 
Western Missouri ; recently was stationed as Pastor in St. Louis, and is 
Secretary of the Home Missionary Society of that State. 

Josiah Lyman graduated at Williams College, 183C; studied Theology ; was 



27 

a licensed preacher; afterwards Principal of an Academy in Vt., and then of 
of the Academy at Lenox, were he still resides. 

Addison Lyman graduated at Williams College, 1839 ; studied Theology; 
was licensed to preach the gospel ; removed to Illinois, where he has been 
employed both as a Preacher and Principal of an Academy. 

Jabez B. Lyman graduated at Amherst College, iS41 ; studied Theology; 
resided some years in Germany, as a student in one of tiie Universities; 
returned, and has been employed as Principal of a Female Seminary at Abbe- 
ville, S. C. 

Russell M. Wright graduated at Williams College, 1841 ; studied Theology ; 
employed as teacher in Williston Seminary, and is now Principal of an Acad- 
emy in Georgia. 

Elijah H. Wright graduated at Amherst College, 1842; studied medicine; 
and is now employed in the Medical profession in Georgia. 

Horace Lyman graduated at Williams College, 1842 ; studied Theology; 
ordained an Evangelist ; and now a Home Missionary in Oregon. 

William S. Clark graduated at Amiierst College, 1848; employed in teach- 
ing for two years in Williston Seminary, and is now a member of a German 
University. 

Lyman R. Williston graduated at Amherst College, 1850 ; and has since been 
employed as teacher, in Williston Seminary. 

[The whole number who have received the honors of College is 21, instead 
of 20, as heretofore stated, and of licensed preachers 14, instead of 13.] 

Note 12. Rev. Mr. Williston continued to labor in the Ministry, with great 
acceptance till 1833, a period of forty-four years. About the time of his settle- 
ment as Pastor, an incident occurred here which may be worlh recording in 
this place. At a time, when those belonging to the militia company, including 
all then over sixteen years of age, were assembled for exercise, they were 
requested to signify whether the candidate was one of their choice. The 
result, as one who was then a member of the company informed me, was 
entire unanimity in favor of the settlement of the candidate. 

The aged Pastor resigned his charge at the time he had decided on, and thus, 
at his own request, the Pastoral relation, which had so long subsisted between 
Jiini and his people, was dissolved. His successor was Rev. William' J3ement, 
a native of Ashfield, and a graduate of Dartmouth College of the class of 1828. 
He was ordained, Oct. 1833, and he labored fiithfully and successfully in the 
ministry, till April, 1850, when he was dismissed, at his own request, and 
lie removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he was installed Pastor of the Congre- 
gational Church in that place. He was one of the early friends of Williston 
Seminary. 

Rev. Rollin S'. Stone, a native of Canton, Ct., and graduate of Yale College, 
of the class of 1832, was installed Pastor of this church, Oct. 8, 1850. 

Note 13. At the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Williston, the meeting-house 
was not finished; and it remained in that unfinished condition for several 
years. The circumstances of the people, in their opinion, did not justify 



28 

tlie necessary expenditure to complete tJie house, at the time it was first 
erected. It was raised in June, 1785. 

As the names of the officers of the church since its organization were given 
in a preceding note, the names also of the Justices of the Peace, since the 
incorporation of Easlhampton, may here with propriety be recorded. Tiie first 
magistrate appointeci was commissioned in 1810. The Justices have been 
Tiiaddeus Clapp, John Ludden, Luther Clark, Jr. Samuel Williston, Ebenezer 
Ferry. 

In the Historical Sketch, 1 had occasion to name several individuals among 
the first settlers of Easthampton. I have in my possession the names of all, 
or nearly all of the heads of families, who were active members of society in 
1785, and for several subsequent years. It occurred to me that some account 
of the genealogy of the families of those ichosc male descendants still live here, 
as far back as this account could readily be given, might well form a part of 
the Appendix to the History of my native town. In making out this Register 
of the families, I have been greatly assisted by Mr. Ezekiel White of this 
town, as well as by the gentleman to whom I have already made my acknowl- 
edgements. It is to Mr. White many of our families will be indebted, for the 
facts communicated in relation to our ancestors. The Register must necessa- 
rily be incomplete, as only the names of the remote male ancestors will be 
given ; passing then over the intermediate generations, the names of the 
f ithers of the town only, and the time of their decease will be stated, with any 
facts which may be deemed interesting to their descendants. An alphabetical 
arrangement of families, agreeably to custom, has been adopted. 



GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. 



Alvord. — Zebadiah Ahord, whose name is mentioned as one of the settlers 
of Pascommuck, removed afterwards to the north part of the town. He was in 
ihe fourth generation fi'om Alexander Alvord, who came from England to 
Windsor, Ct., and thence to Northampton, as early as 1659, where he died, 
Oct. 1687. Zebadiah Alvord, died here Feb. 1806, aged 82. 

Chapman.— David Cliapnlan, Sen. born in the city of Norwich, Ct., removed 
to this place in 1772; and resided here during the revolutionary war, and tlien 
removed to Southampton, and afterwards to Westliampton, where he died in 
1814, aged 80. He left a numerous family. Only two of his sons remained 
here, viz. David, who died Dec. 1825, aged 64, and Moses, who died Oct. 1838, 
aged 80. 

Ci.Ai'i'. — Maj, Jonathan Clapp, who is mentioned in my sketch, was the 



29 

great grandson of Capt. Roger Clapp, who came from Salcom, Devonsliire, 
England, in 1630. For many interesting particulars respecting Capt. Clapp, 
his descendants are referred to a valuable memoir written by himself; a sec- 
ond edition of which Was published a few years since. He commanded what 
was then called the Castle, now Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor. He 
died at Dorchester, 1691, aged 81. Major Jonathan died here in 1782, aged 
69, leaving three sons, viz.— Jonathan, who died Nov. 1822, aged 87— Capt. 
Joseph, who died Oct. 1797, aged 60, and Quarter Master Benjamin, who died 
Nov. 1815, aged 77. Maj. Clapp left also eight daughters, who were all mar- 
ried, and who lived to be over sixty years of age. 

Aaron Clapp, who was amcfng the first settlers on the Plain, was brother to 
Maj. Clapp. He died May, 1793, aged 7T. He had four sons, viz. Ensign 
Aaron, who removed in 1809 to Western New York, and there died many vears 
since ; David, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and never returned ; 
Eli, who died in Southampton, in 1808, at the age of 54, and Levi, who died in 
March, 182.5, aged 65. John Clapp, the soldier of the Revolution, was his 
nephew. He died here 1823, aged 82. 

Clark. — " Tliis name was derived from the name of an office, and signified 
the clerk, or learned man. This title, in process of time, became the sur- 
name of the person who bore the office ; and clericus, the clerk, and after- 
wards Clark, became the cognomen or surname, by which all the descendants 
were distinguished. The word clerk was also abundantly employed in 
the north of England to express lawyer, as well as priest, and this accounts 
for the extreme frequency of the name." 

Capt. IMiiUip Clark, who is spoken of in my discourse as a school teacher, 
was in the fourth generation from Lieut. William Clark, who came from Eng- 
land to Dorchester, and thence to Northampton, probably in 1659. In the 
ancient records, Lieut. William Clark is styled "Most Worshipful William 
Clark, Esq. He was chosen Selectman 19 years. He was one of the eight 
members of the church, at its organization, in Northampton, June 18, 1661." 
Capt. Phillip Clark died in this town. May, 1818, aged 87. Eliakim Clark, 
who gave the land for a burial place in Pascommuck, was second cousinto 
Capt. Pliillip Clark. He died in 1783, aged 72. He left three sons, viz. 
Obadiah, who died Oct. 1815, aged 80, Lieut Asahel, who died Feb. 1822, aged 
85, and Job, who died March, 1817, aged 73. Willis Gaylord Clark, among 
the distinguished American Poets, who died in 1841, aged .37, was the son of 
Capt. Eliakim Clark, who was the son of Lieut. Asahel. Oliver Clark, who 
lived in the northwest part of the town, was in the fifth generation from Lieut. 
William Clark. He died. May 1824, aged 68, 

Ferry. — Ebenezer Ferry, a resident of Pascommuck, in 1750, was grandson 
of Charles Ferry of Spiingfield. His son, Lieut. Solomon, died here in Feb. 
1810, aged 66. 

Hannum. — William Hannum was one of the first proprietors of Northamp- 
ton, in 1653, and died there June, 1677. Serg. Eleazer Hannum, one of the 
early settlers in the west part of this town, was in the fifth generation from 
William Hannum. He died Dec. 1818, in his 89th year. His brother John, 
died Jan. 1790. Another brother, Joel, who lived in Nashawannuck, died Jan, 
1814, aged 68. 



30 

IIendrick. — Israel Hcndrick, once a resident of this place, liad three sons : 
Moses, Reuben and James. The father and two sons removed to other places. 
James died here in June, 1828, aged 70. 

Janes — "This family came orignaliy from Kirtling, Cambridgeshire, Eng- 
land, wliere it was located in 1235. William Janes, a descendant of this family, 
came to this country from Essex, England, and was a settler of New Haven, 
Ct. He taught school in that place. He came to Northampton in 1654 or 
1655. In 1657, he was chosen recorder of laws, and remained in that office 
twenty years. He also conducted religious services on the Sabbath. He 
died Sept. 1690." Samuel Janes, the lad who was stunned by the blow of 
the savage, was in the third generation from William Janes. Ten persons of 
the name of Janes were slain at the Pascommuck massacre. Samuel left four 
sons, viz. Jonathan, who was a soldier at the taking of Louisburg in 1745, and 
who died April, 1825, aged nearly 99, being the oldest person that ever died 
in this town ; Elisha, who died Feb. 1808, aged 77 ; Dea. Obadiah, a teacher 
of Common Schools in early life, who died I'eb. 1817, in his 88th year, and 
Samuel who died many years before his brothers 

liUDDEN. — Lieut Ezra Ludden removed from Braintree to Williamsburg, in 
1773, and thence to this place, in 1779. He died here in Nov. 1833, aged 85. 

Lyman. — Benjamin Lyman, one of the purchasers of School Meadow, was 
the great grandson of Richard Lyman, who left England in 1635 ; first settled 
in Chariestown, and finally was one of the first settlers of Hartford, Ct., 
where he died in 1640, leaving three sons who were among the first planters 
of Northampton, in 1652. The name was originally spelled Limon. At what 
time the orthography was changed, is unknown. Benjamin Lyman probably 
removed from Northampton to what is now Easthampton, soon after his joint 
purchase of the Meadow. He died here in 1763. He left three sons, viz. 
Deac. Benjamin, who died June, 1798, aged 71 ; Capt. David, who died Jan. 
1822, aged 84 ; and Lemuel, who died July 1810, aged 74. 

Parsons. — " This was an ancient family in England. Tliomas Parsons of 
Great Milton, or Milton Royal, received the honor of Knighthood from Charles 
1st. about the year 1634." Deac. Joel Parsons, a school teacher in early life, 
was in the fifth generation from Joseph Parsons, who came from England to 
this country about 1635, and died at Springfield, March, 1684. Dea. Parsons 
died in this town, Nov. ISIS, in his SOlh year. 

Phelps. — " Ould Mr. William Phelps, Esq., came from England to this 
country, in 1630, was representative from Dorchester to the first Court in 1634, 
removed to Windsor, Ct., in 1635, and was a member of the first Court in that 
colony in 1636. He was a member of the General Court twelve sessions ; and 
one of the most efficient and valuable officers in the Colony." He died July, 
1672, probably over 90yenrs of age. His son, Nathaniel, removed to Northamp- 
ton, probably in 1656, and died there May, 1690. William Phelps, a resident of 
this town, was in the si.Kth generation from William Phelps, Esq., and died 
July, 1812, aged 59. 

PoMEROY. — " All of this name in this country," it is said, "are descended 
from Eltweed Pomeroy, who came from Devonshire, England, to this country, 
•in 1630 ; lived at Dorchester, and Windsor, Ct. and died at Northampton in 



31 

1673. The line of descent of this family, can be traced back to Sir Ralph de 
Pomeroy, a favorite knight of William, the Conqueror, whom he accompanied 
into England, acting a conspicuous part at the battle of Hastings, fought Oct. 
14, 1066%nd afterwards building a castle called Berry Pomeroy, still in pres- 
ervation, on the grant which he received from the crown." Caleb Pome- 
roy, a settler in the west part of the town, died, probably, not far from the 
time the District was incorporated. He left two sons, viz: Enos, who died 
Nov. 1812, aged 66 ;— and Solomon, who died Nov. 1829, aged 78. Dea. 
Justus Pomer°oy, related to this family, died April, 1842, aged 76. 

Strong.— The families of this name, in this town, are descended from Rich- 
ard Stroncr, a resident of Taunton, Somersetshire, England. " His son. Elder 
John Stro"ncr, came to this country, in May 1630, and settled in Dorchester. 
In 1635 or 36, he removed to Windsor, Ct.and thence to Northampton, m 16a9, 
where he died, April, 1699, aged 94. He was the father of eighteen children, 
fifteen of whom had families." 

In 1784, Job Stron-T was a resident of this place, in the north west part of it. 
He died here. May 1800, aged 70. His son Job removed to Vermont, and d.ed 
Bome years since. Benjamin Strong, who lived in the south east part of th.s 
town, was in the sixth generation from Richard Strong. He died here March, 

1833, aged 82. , , , x- o • * 

White —"Elder John White came from England, probably from Bramtree, 
Essex in 1632, and settled in Cambridge. He was one of the first settlers of 
Hartford, Ct. and a landholder, in 1636. He was one of the first 47 settlei-s of 
Hadley, in 1659, and held several important offices in that town. He after- 
wards removed to Hartford, was an elder in the church, and died there, Dec. 

^Ixtract from the last will and testament of Elder John White: "Foras- 
much as my time is uncertain, and I know not the day of ray death, 1 account 
it my duty to make my last will and testament, which is as foUoweth y.z : 
I resign and give up my soul and body to my Sovereign and Lord and Maker 
my C'od and Father in my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to prevent 
trouble to those that shall survive me, I do dispose of that portion of my out- 
ward estate, and that which the Lord hath in mercy helped me with, in manner 

'°Na^an-.el White, a resident of this town, and who died Oct. 1828, aged 79, 
was in the sixth generation from Elder John White. . ^ . , 

WiLLisTON.-Rev. Payson Williston is in the fourth generation from Joseph 
Williston, who lived and died in Springfield, Aug. 1747. He was the son of 
Rev. Noah Williston, and a native of West Haven,Ct. In 1.. 9, though a mere 
youth, he belonged to the New Haven Artillery, and was engaged in the ac 
Ln that preceded the capture of the city by the British. On ^l^eJ^J on 
which his term of service expired, he was examined and admitted into Yale 
College, where he graduated, in 1783, and is now the only surviving member 

"^wL'GHT.-Dea. Stephen Wright, also Captain, one of the Purchasers of 
Scrool Meadow, was in the fourth generation from Dea. Samuel Wright, one 
of the first settlers of Springfield, and a Deacon of the Church there. He was 
there as early as 1641. After the Rev. Mr. Moxon, the first minister of 



32 

Springfield, returned lo England, Dea. Wright " was employed to dispense the 
word of God in this place," and was allowed fifty shillings a month for his 
services. Other laymen were also employed. Dea. Wright was one of the 
first settlers of Northampton. He removed there in 1656 or 7, and died there 
in Oct. 1665. He had a numerous family. Most of his children were born in 
Eno-land. His brother, Nathaniel Wright, was a merchant of London, and in- 
terested in the Winthrop Colony, in 1630. Their father, it is said, was John 
Wriorht of Kelvedon, and their grandfather, John Wright of Wrightsbridge, 
Essex, about 40 miles north east from London. 

Dea. Steplien Wright, the great grand son of Dea. Samuel, was chosen 
deacon of the Church in Northampton in 1739, and removed to what is now 
Easthampton, probably about 1744. After his removal he belonged to South- 
ampton. He died Feb. 1763. 

His sons were Dea. Stephen, who died June, 1809, aged 84 — Rev. Job, who 
graduated at Yale College in 1757, and was settled in the ministry, in Ber- 
nardston, where he died, 1823, aged 85— Sergeant Elijah, who lived on the 
place where his father died, and died there himself, April, 1809, aged 75 ;. 
and Sergeant Eliakim, who was slain at Lake George, Sept. 8, 1755. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 069 657 2 



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